Faced with die-hard brand devotion and tough competition from offshore products and proven homegrown steel, Dodge decided to step up the Ram for its latest revision in a big way. They've spared no expense to do it- and their efforts are very proudly displayed in the Ram's new sheet-metal.

Ram's great new face clears the highway fast lane like a muscle-sedan- though given gas prices lately, this isn't a major concern for most buyers.

Yep, it's got a HEMIThe automaker's range-topping 5.7 liter HEMI V8 powered the tester. It's been re-tuned and revised this year to develop 390 horsepower while using about 4 percent less fuel than the previous engine.

The HEMI is happy to loaf around under 2000 RPM, with highway mileage averaging about 15L/100km at real-life speeds during winter driving. That's not exactly thrifty- but within limits for a machine with such intentions.

Just be sure you need the power offered by this engine, as smaller options are available that should turn in less than the 18L / 100km consumption figure I averaged over some 2000 kilometers.

The Ram is not exactly thrifty - but within limits for a machine with such intentions.